Wide Sky doesn't want to be like anything else. A thread of odd humour runs through its tutorial, its visual style is stunning, and its presentation is some of the best we've seen on the App Store.

But the game underneath it all, the mechanics of play that really matter, are underwhelming at best and broken at worst.

In its charge to be special and unique, Wide Sky falls into pitfalls that less attractive, less esoteric games would dodge with ease. While it's wrapped in the trappings of greatness, it falls surprisingly short of its lofty aspirations.